Basketball apparatus including a post stabilizing slot

ABSTRACT

A miniature basketball game apparatus includes a flat base centrally slotted at one edge to receive a post supported on a thin foot for insertion beneath the slotted base and in turn supporting a backboard and basket. A narrow extension of the slot receives an edge of the backboard when the device is disassembled for storage in a close-fitting box. Several sequentially numbered circles on the flat base are provided to induce competitive play.

United States Patent Lutz [54] BASKETBALL APPARATUS INCLUDING A POST STABILIZING SLOT [72} Inventor: Warren R. Lutz, 249 Grant Drive,

Route 3, Stillwater, Minn. 55082 [22] Filed: Sept. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 182,697

52] u.s.c1 27 3 3 5 511 mm ..A63f/9/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/1.5, 105 R, 102 R, 85,-

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Beiser ..45/32 Bloch ..248/158 [451 Sept. 22, 1971 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Equipment for Fun & Fitness Co., 1965, by Jamieson anuf. Co., p. 28.

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind AttorneyGilbert B. Gehrenbeck [57] ABSTRACT A miniature basketball game apparatus includes a flat base centrally slotted at one edge to receive a post supported on a thin foot for insertion beneath the slotted base and in turn supporting a backboard and basket. A narrow extension of the slot receives an edge of the backboard when the device is disassembled for storage in a close-fitting box. Several sequentially numbered circles on the flat base are provided to induce competitive play.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BASKETBALL APPARATUS INCLUDING A POST STABILIZING SLOT This invention relates to a table-top game apparatus adapted for use by one or more players in a miniature modification of the game of basketball.

In one aspect, the invention relates to rugged game apparatus consisting of but two major parts, which may be easily assembled on a table-top or floor for play and may thereafter be as easily disassembled and fitted for packing and storage. In another aspect the invention relates to a method of competitive play involving the use of markings supplied for the purpose on one of said major parts.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the apparatus as sembled and in position for play,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing further details of the basket and support, and

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective showing the position of the disassembled apparatus in its packing case.

The apparatus comprises a flat base and a basket assembly 11. The base is square in shape and is slotted centrally of one edge to provide an open short wide slot 12 extended as a long narrow slot 13 toward the center.

The hard upper surface of the base is marked with an 2 outer marginal band 14, a conventional pattern of lines 15 beneath the basket area, and a series of numbered circles 16-22 arranged uniformly around the front and sides of the base as shown.

The basket assembly 11 comprises a foot 23 carrying a post 24 having a right angle bend, the post in turn carrying a backboard 2S fitted with a basket 26. Ferrules 27 and 28 provide additional holding power at the junctions of the post with the backboard and foot respectively. The rim of the basket 26 is formed of a section of stiff wire the ends of which pass through the backboard and are secured against the reverse surface, e.g., by

soldering.

The apparatus is quickly assembled by simply sliding the foot of the basket assembly beneath the base with the ferrule 28 inserted within the open slot 12, the rear edge of the foot then lying parallel with the rear edge of the base 10.

Ordinary ping-pong balls are used and in one form of contest the player or players attempt to bounce the ball into the basket from any desired spot on the base, taking care that the players hand is not allowed to advance beyond the outer line 14 in delivering the ball. A more sophisticated form of play involves attempting to bounce the ball into the basket from an initial contact point within each of the numbered circles 16-22 in turn. Other variations may be desired.

After play is completed, the apparatus is easily disassembled and stored as illustrated in FIG. 3. An edge of the backboard 25 of the basket assembly 11 fits snugly within the narrow slot 13 in the base 10 and bothparts fit within the open-topped box 29, the cover 30 in closed position being in contact with the upraised opposite edge of the backboard. A small tubular or boxlike container may be provided for the one or more balls included with the apparatus but is not necessary. Directions for play, score pads and pencil, and other additional appurtenances may be included as desired.

In a specific example, the base 10 consists of a square section of one-fourth inch hardboard 16 inches on a side. The foot 23 and backboard 25 each measure 3 X 4 inches and are of heavy gage galvanized iron. The sup- 5 play.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Game apparatus comprising:

a. a game board having a flat base slotted centrally of one side to provide a short, wide, open slot extending further as a longer, narrow slot toward the center of said base;

b. a basket assembly comprising 1. a basket;

2. a backboard;

3. a post;

4. a thin, flat, foot plate, said basket being attached to said backboard, one end of said post attached to said backboard and the other end of the post attached to the thin'flat plate in such a manner that when the post is positioned vertically upright, it will snugly fit in the short wide slot with the thin flat plate fitting beneath the base, and said backboard being of a thickness and a width permitting an edge thereof to fit snugly within said longer narrow slot for ease in storage.

2. Game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base carries a visible pattern defining a plurality of consecutively numbered playing areas.

3. Game apparatus of claim 1 including a covered open top storage box of a depth just equal to the width of said backboard. 

1. Game apparatus comprising: a. a game board having a flat base slotted centrally of one side to provide a short, wide, open slot extending further as a longer, narrow slot toward the center of said base; b. a basket assembly comprising
 1. a basket;
 2. a backboard;
 3. a post;
 4. a thin, flat, foot plate, said basket being attached to said backboard, one end of said post attached to said backboard and the other end of the post attached to the thin flat plate in such a manner that when the post is positioned vertically upright, it will snugly fit in the short wide slot with the thin flat plate fitting beneath the base, and said backboard being of a thickness and a width permitting an edge thereof to fit snugly within said longer narrow slot for ease in storage.
 1. Game apparatus comprising: a. a game board having a flat base slotted centrally of one side to provide a short, wide, open slot extending further as a longer, narrow slot toward the center of said base; b. a basket assembly comprising
 1. a basket;
 2. a backboard;
 2. Game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base carries a visible pattern defining a plurality of consecutively numbered playing areas.
 4. a thin, flat, foot plate, said basket being attached to said backboard, one end of said post attached to said backboard and the other end of the post attached to the thin flat plate in such a manner that when the post is positioned vertically upright, it will snugly fit in the short wide slot with the thin flat plate fitting beneath the base, and said backboard being of a thickness and a width permitting an edge thereof to fit snugly within said longer narrow slot for ease in storage. 